Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 2, 1994 TAG: 9408020092
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Martha Jefferson is joining with Hospice of the Piedmont in Charlottesville to run the six-bed unit, said hospital spokeswoman Ann Nickels.
The hospital unit also will accommodate a home hospice patient temporarily if a family has trouble taking care of the patient. The unit will begin taking patients this week.
Hospice care helps terminally ill patients ``manage the end of their life in the manner in which they see fit,'' said Vicky Todd, executive director of Hospice of the Piedmont. Hospice care helps patients by stressing comfort and care rather than curative treatment, she said.
Glenn Gillen, a spokesman for the National Hospice Organization, said the Charlottesville collaboration is ``pretty unique.'' He said many hospitals have their own hospice units, but this was the first time he had heard of a joint effort by a hospital and a hospice.
He said such collaborations may be something hospitals will move toward in the future.
``There is a definite trend for hospices to provide more inpatient care,'' Gillen said.
Nickels said the program is something the hospital has wanted to do for some time.
``It will provide a better continuum of care for a very important phase in someone's life,'' she said.
Todd said Martha Jefferson has been keeping hospice patients in ``scattered beds'' throughout the hospital since 1988. Hospice and the hospital have been planning the unit since January, she said.
She said Hospice of the Piedmont will manage the unit and both Martha Jefferson and the hospice will provide staff.
The six-bedroom unit is furnished with televisions, dressers, tables, sofas and recliners provided by Hospice of the Piedmont. The hospital provided beds and extra chairs.
by CNB